Smriti Irani’s jibe at Priyanka: Will advise ‘cultured families’ to keep their children away from Congress general secretary

Smriti Irani took a swipe at Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

Smriti Irani (ANI)

Union Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday took a dig at Priyanka Gandhi, saying she will ask all “cultured families” to ensure their children stay away from Congress general secretary after a video showing kids making “derogatory remarks and using abusive language” during an election campaign went viral on social media.

“She makes children abuse. She asked children to abuse the Prime Minister. You cannot use children for political campaigns. What will children learn out of this? I will ask all cultured families to keep their children away from Priyanka Gandhi. I am happy that the family which claims to be cultured stands unmasked,” Irani was quoted as saying by ANI.

Irani also took on Congress general secretary over alleged remarks “awaara pashuon ke naam bhi hain”, an apparent reference to PM Modi and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath. “This is her real face. She is disrespecting a prime minister and a state chief minister. She denigrated Gorakhnath math adhyaksh. Will she do the same in Gorakhpur?” Irani asked.

She also took a swipe at Congress president Rahul Gandhi, pointing out that Priyanka Gandhi was standing in for her brother while the latter is nowhere to be seen in the constituency. “Priyanka is not a candidate, in fact, her very presence here is recognition of Rahul’s incapacity,” she added.

Earlier on Thursday, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) asked the Election Commission (EC) to take action on the video showing children chanting “Chowkidar chor hai” in a reference to Rahul Gandhi’s frequent attacks PM Modi over the Rafale agreement.

“Such violation of children’s right for any work connected with election process like campaigning, carrying of campaigning material, etc would attract necessary action and apart from facing the consequences of the law, if any, will be taken by the commission against erring political parties,” the letter said.